Tuesday, February 28, 2012

GUEST BLOG: DAVID PEREDA

This post is part of a Virtual Book Tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Leave a comment or ask David a question and be entered into a drawing for a $20 Amazon GC. Click the banner above to find other stops on the tour.

Behind the Scene: What Writing is Really About by David Pereda

Readers often have a glamorous view of writers. They believe writers constantly travel the world to exotic places; live a life of adventure; are involved with beautiful and seductive women -- or, as the case may be, men; can taste the difference beween a Medoc and a St. Emilion -- and distinguish the vintage too; and that the act of writing comes effortlessly.

I know what you expect me to say right now, "No, it's not true." I'd be dishonest if I said that.

It's true.

I've traveled to more than twenty-five countries; I've been married five times -- and if that's not adventuresome enough for you, consider this: I've ridden racing camels in the Arabian desert, competed in show jumping equestrian events, been in a street fight in Mexico, have seen a pack of wolves hunting in Alaska; and, on a given day, I can taste the difference between a Medoc and a St. Emilion and, often but not always, the vintage year.

However, there's one thing I can't do, no matter how hard I try: write effortlessly.

To me, writing is the hardest thing I've ever done. It takes me a long time to settle on an idea to write about; and it takes me even longer to plot the book -- yes, I'm a plotter not a pantser. But what takes me the longest is the act of writing the book itself. Everyday I give myself excuses not to write -- like I need to answer my emails, do my income tax, plan my next trip. On a good day, with a lot of luck and much self-persuasion, I might produce 2-3 pages of good writing. I don't feel too bad when I do that since my idol, Hemingway, was delighted when he wrote 400 words in a day. The problem is I don't do that often.

So a typical writing day for me is so painful I wouldn't wish it on anyone except on an unabashed, dyed-in-the-wool masochist. I'm not a masochist, mind you. I love life and its pleasures.

If you were sitting across from me right now, this would be your cue to ask, "Why do you do it then?"

I do it because I love to tinker with words. I do it because I delight in crafting thrillers and mainstream novels with subtle layers of understanding. I do it because I get a kick out of creating and developing unique characters. In short, I do it because the joy and feeling of accomplishment I derive from holding in my hands the completed manuscript is akin to that of a mother after giving birth to a baby.

And it's worth all the pain.

About the Author:

David Pereda is an award-winning author who enjoys crafting political thrillers and mainstream novels. His books have won the Lighthouse Book Awards twice, the Royal Palm Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, and the Readers Favorite Awards. He has traveled extensively around the world and speaks several languages. Before devoting his time solely to writing and teaching college-level courses, Pereda had a rich and successful international consulting career with global giant Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked with the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, and Qatar, among others.

A member of MENSA, Pereda is the regional director of the Florida Writers Association and the co-founder of AWE (Asheville Writing Enthusiasts). He loves sports and has won many prizes competing in track and show-jumping equestrian events.Pereda lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina.Please visit him at…

What if you found out your success was built on lies told by your father that caused great misfortune to people dear to you? What if you had the opportunity to do something about it…twenty-five years later and at the risk of your own life? Would you or wouldn’t you?

This is the dilemma award-winning Miami Architect Cid Milan suddenly faces in this 90,000-word, mainstream novel. A Cuban immigrant forced to abandon his country as a teenager during the tumultuous Mariel boatlift of 1980, Cid is a self-made man who arrived in the United States with nothing. He’s an example of what can be accomplished in America through hard work and determination. He hobnobs with the Mayor, has a sexy model for his girlfriend, and is building the most luxurious condominium on Biscayne Bay. But when his dying father, Colonel Jose Milan, a well-known political dissident, confesses to him a shocking family secret from Cuba, Cid’s life implodes.

Colonel Milan reveals that in order to ensure Cid could leave Cuba unharmed, he collaborated with Castro’s police -- willfully betraying both Cid's best friend, Joaquin, and forsaking his pregnant girlfriend Sandra. Overnight, Cid’s world is turned upside down. Trying to unravel the mystery of his own past, Cid realizes there’s only one thing he can do: return to the land he abandoned. In his quest to learn the truth, Cid rediscovers himself and his roots as he reunites with Joaquin and searches frantically throughout Cuba for Sandra and the secret she has kept from him all these years: his son. In the process, Cid learns an invaluable lesson about love, forgiveness and redemption that changes his life forever.

15 comments:

I wanted to thank LASR for having me as a guest blogger today and let all readers know that I will be available to answer questions all day. I will be in and out, so if you ask a question and I take a little long to answer, check back again later. I will answer.

Thos of you who have been waiting for a fire sale to buy a copy of my new book, here's your opportunity. Barnes & Noble has However Long the Night at $14.69 for the paperback (a 41% discount) and $5.56 for the ebook Nook edition (a 20% discount). Here's the link:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/however-long-the-night-david-pereda/1108816715?ean=9781615725991&itm=1&usri=david+pereda

Wow David, you know that guy who does those beer commercials and says 'I'm the most fascinating guy in the world'? He should be fired and you should take his place! Any plans for marriage number 6? My dad was married five times too. You're a very exciting guy! I bought your book and plan to read it in the near future. Good luck! Dina Rae, author

Thank you for the "Wow, David," Dina, and also for buying my book. The most fascinating guy in the world is a fake living in upstate NY who imitates the accent of the late Fernando Lamas in the XX beer commercials. I have met a number of people in different parts of the world who are much more interesting than him. To answer your question, if the right woman comes along, why not? I'm a romantic. I'm not averse to wife number 6. Are you married, Dina?

Yes, Catherine Lee. Often when I travel, I keep notes of people and places. I may never go back to them again but the fact I wrote them down once stores them somewhere on my mind. If my memory is fuzzy, and many times it is, I either check out the notes or use the internet to verify the places. Obviously, I can't do anything about the people...but I don't mind that since I don't use real people in my books.

I'm very disciplined, Debby. You are addressing a different trait and making the wrong assumption. I plot my books in detail, do character sheets and revise, revise, revise. All those places I have been to, I have known on foot too. I always travel with running gear and get up early to exercise. Paris looks totally different while running down the Champs Elysee, or under the Eiffel Tower, than seeing it pass by from a tourist bus. I was up at 4 am this morning, and I've been busy all day. Now it's time to have a glass of Los Alamos Malbec (I feel like a Malbec tonight)and relax. The night is young. At what time did you get up today, Debby?

You got it right, Marybelle. I fell in love with writing when I was a kid, and I've been in love with writing ever since. I wrote my first story when I was ten years old. A few years ago, I left a successful career as a government consultant to devote myself to writing.